Alejandro Ruiz-Acevedo, MS 03

I finally got the typical stomach ache that all the international people (or "expats") gets by arriving in Afghanistan. But it was a great experience though. My working life has intensified dramatically, since I got a much better sense and control of the entire project, as well as the needs of supporting the development of this country. It was great because I had the time to slow down and see again the other face of this country, the face of that humble people willing to support our efforts on the aim of building their country.

Afghanistan, as you might know, has been devastated for several years from the soviet invasion, to the Mujahedins, to the Taliban, and now to the coalition forces. Their government and intellectual body disappeared on the seventies with the fear either to be killed or to be doctrined by the communist mentality. The ones that supported the soviet revolution left the country and their people after the heavy war against the U.S. supported "Mujahedin" (or holy warriors) and the reign of anarchy and instability. After this episode the story goes hundred years back to destruction, poverty, and fear. The pictures that I shared with you show a country that has been suffering from these previous war years. People either by fear or by faith attached heavily on their religion, on the only institution at the time that could provided them with peace and some stability. However, after the Mujahedin years (the years of heavy wars among different tribes), the Taliban - a Pashtu ethnic group - managed to take over the country and established their government style: strong rooted on their religion values. They interpreted their religion in such a way, that still now you can see on the streets the cassette tapes hanging on the electric wires, after being taken away from their owners and destroyed publicly. The Taliban abused from the large majority of analphabets to follow a particular structure that did constraint their opportunities and personal interests.

But I guess that clearly shows how important it is to have a strong political body within the country.

Afghanistan has been always aiming to get a stable government, as all other societies that have been dealing with changes of leadership. In our Latin American societies we have had governments in power for many years, which regardless of any change that they have been able to accomplish represent, at least, some stability. Afghanistan has been changing its political face constantly, from the vigorous and developing society on the seventies, to the social communist regimen on the eighties, to the anarchic war among tribal groups, to the Taliban, and now to the new transitional governmental society. People in this country are tired of instability, since its migration in the search to a prosperous life, brought them suffer and disrespect as being perceived as people without a land without an identity. This warm, stubborn society did come back after the decades of war, looking for a future for their people and their country.

The Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan of these days is like having desert sand in your hands. The core of the government is extremely fragile, extremely dependant from international aid and international experts to support the development of their institutions. The core of the Afghan Government is going through a restructuring process, and people within the government are ready to jump on any possible position available for them. It is a complicated moment, because lots of individual interests are being jeopardized and people are facing again an instable situation within their own country. Then it is clear to see, that in Qandahar (a city located in the southeast side of the country - a majority Pashtu ethnic city) people are heavily supporting the Taliban forces, because they haven't fell the changes of the new government. The Taliban means stability and at least some government structure that could offer them something to dream about.

Because of various reasons (including my b-day - Sep 11) the Taliban is now away from most of the country, and all the "expats" are here to support the reconstruction of the new Afghanistan. The social fragmentation of the society is evident (after the tribal wars during the Mujahedin and Taliban years), and the political unrest is evident as the elections are coming very soon. Leadership is extremely important otherwise it might be easy to start another critic war or to return again to the anarchic wars of the nineties. All the developing agencies have to face this, understanding how to build from this running sand, and how to integrate the local processes into the political discussion.

In Kabul, the expats represent the source of stability, but this honeymoon will not last that long, and donor agencies and countries with specific agendas, have to understand that development means long run investments. Short term remedies can easily be shown at their home countries as trophies and justification of their incursion in this country. But from what I have seen here, the Afghans are dreaming for a future, and we, as developing agencies have a huge responsibility to ensure that we can deliver on the dreams and expectations that we have created by coming and changing their own development process. My only hope is that in the years that we could support the Afghans to create their country, we do not stop providing them with the tools to overcome and learn from their difficult past.

Pictures: The last one that I sent you (the truck) has that particular shape because it wants to emulate the size of a camel. It seems that they would like to continue feeling the antique means of transportation of goods from one side to the other.

As usual, I think that I overextended myself on the historical political analysis, but I promise that I will send you more facts about this incredible country.

Un abrazo a todos,

Alejandro